From the Alexis, Illinois Argus, Thursday, 29 May 1919, page 1, column 1 John Wilfred Porter John Wilfred Porter, second son of Alex Steel and Martha Jane Porter, was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania on 8 January 1847, died at Garner, Arkansas on 19 May 1919, aged 72 years, 4 months and 11 days. While a child he came to Illinois the fall of 18500 where he grew to manhood on a farm on the county line between Warren and Mercer counties, four miles west of Alexis, in Mercer county. In the spring of 1865 he moved to Monmouth and from there to Warrensburg, Missouri in 1868. From Warrensburg he moved to Independence, Kansas in 1870. In 1871 he moved to Arkansas and in 1872 came to Alexis and had since resided here with the exception of three years spent in Kansas and Arkansas. He worked at his trade of carpenter, carriage and wagon maker most of his life from a boy of twelve years of age. He was also an architect of no mean ability. J.W. was the second child of a family of four boys and four girls. One sister, Ella, preceded him in death. He was not a member of any church but was brought up by Presbyterian parents, of which church most of the family belong. He was a great believer of the Golden Rule and his dealings were always fair and honest. He is survived by three sisters and three brothers as well as a host of other relatives and friends. By nature a very quiet and consciencious man who would rather his good deeds were not known, ready and willing at all times to help a friend in need. A friend, to all who were fortunate to know will miss. Mr. Porter?s death was caused by typhoid-dysentery which he contracted while cultivating his small farm near Garner, Arkansas. The water there is supposed to first have caused his illness and as he was by himself it is supposed that he was unable to get fresh water and this made his condition worse. As soon as his brothers heard of his illness they sent his niece, Mrs. Frank Lundgren, to Garner, to take care of him but when she arrived his condition was such that all hope for his recovery was gone and his death resulted not long after her arrival, however he was able to recognize her but was too weak to show it except by a slight nod of his head. The remains arrived in Alexis Saturday morning and funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Reverend G.J. Cardy officiating. Interment was in the Alexis cemetery. Father: Alexander Steel Porter b: 25 DEC 1823 in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania Mother: Martha Jane Campbell b: 25 DEC 1824 in Henderson township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania Sources: |
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